'Polar Express' (2004) -- Hit

Warner Bros. Pictures

Initially failing to capitalize on the magic of the 1985 childrens book by Chris Van Allsburg, "Polar Express" chugged into the box office in 2004, grossing only $23 million in its opening weekend -- far below expectations for such a big-budget adaptation. Starring the voices of Tom Hanks and Leslie Zemeckis, the film is a CGI-animated take on the story of a boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole. Despite its disappointing opening, the film resurged quickly, going on to gross more than $160 million domestically, $300 million worldwide, and was repeatedly re-released in Imax theaters during the holidays.

Initially failing to capitalize on the magic of the 1985 childrens book by Chris Van Allsburg, "Polar Express" chugged into the box office in 2004, grossing only $23 million in its opening weekend -- far below expectations for such a big-budget adaptation. Starring the voices of Tom Hanks and Leslie Zemeckis, the film is a CGI-animated take on the story of a boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole. Despite its disappointing opening, the film resurged quickly, going on to gross more than $160 million domestically, $300 million worldwide, and was repeatedly re-released in Imax theaters during the holidays.